That’s the message workers are trying to get to Somerset County residents as the Census 2010 Road Tour spreads information.

The Road Tour is a national operation where 13 vehicles visit locations to answer questions and dispel myths about the count done by the U.S government every 10 years.

The tour stopped today at the municipal buildings in Bound Brook and Somerville.

Lauren Zyriek, a Census employee, said workers hope that with the shortest form in history – it takes just 10 minutes to answer 10 questions – more residents will participate.

“Our main message is that the census is safe, easy and important,” she said of the questionnaire that will be mailed in mid-March.

Census worker Arvind Swamy said barriers to participation include language and citizenship status.

“By law all information is protected, nothing that can identify individuals is ever released.
We cannot release that information to state, county or local agencies,” he said.

Principal planner for the county, Ken Weeden said an accurate count helps Somerset County get its fair share of $437 billion in federal funds based on census information.

“Every segment of our society is affected by this, there’s something you participate in that gets funding based on census data,” Weeden said, adding the funds go toward health, education and social service programs, like Meals on Wheels.

Based on 2007 data, census employee John Gromer estimated that each response is worth $12,000 in aid.

“If we can swing it by a small percentage, it can make a very big difference,” he said. Centers will be set up all over the state to ensure that everyone has a chance to be counted.

In Bound Brook, Mayor Carey Pilato encouraged residents to be counted. “We all want the very best services for each other and the census is the best way to ensure that that happens,” he said.